While in high school, I studied voice with private instructors Linda Meehan and Virginia Johnson in Fort Wayne, Indiana. My singing experiences during high school included singing/dancing in the competitive New Era show choir, church choir, earning high honors in many soloist competitions, Indiana All-State Mixed Choir conducted by Dr. Eph Ehly, an eight-country European tour with the United States Collegiate Choir, musicals (Brigadoon - Chorus, The Sound of Music - Brigitta, The Pajama Game - Babe Williams, The King & I - Princess Tuptim), and various other local performance opportunities.

By audition, I earned a performance scholarship to major in vocal performance at the Conservatory of Music at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. While there, I studied voice in the private studio of Sharon Bennett and a bit of jazz voice with Michelle Horsefield-Carney. One of the highlights of my musical experience was singing for 4 years in the Chapel Choir under the direction of Dr. Lynda Hasseler--often as a soloist, and serving as the elected president of the choir my senior year. I also performed in operettas and musicals at Capital, my favorites being the roles of Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music, Yonah in one of the very first regional productions of Children of Eden, and Brambilla in La Perichole. I was selected to perform in the Conservatory's Honors Showcase Concert, masterclasses and vocal workshops. I always enjoyed performing end-of semester juries, and loved the experience of giving my junior and senior recitals. Of course, along with these activities, I also studied music theory, audiation, music literature, music history, diction for singers, vocal pedagogy, song literature, music business and industry, and other music courses.

I've also enjoyed being involved with community theatre!  One of my favorite memories is playing the role of Laurie in The Curtain Company Players (Columbia City, Indiana) production of Oklahoma! For several years, when my children were young, I volunteered as a vocal coach for summer musical theatre with the ACT Theatre Company in Gibson City, IL. 

For 16 years, I've enjoyed volunteering in the music department at Ridgeview school district, helping rehearse singers and serving as accompanist for the high school, junior high, and 6th grade choirs. For the "crazy Covid" 2020-'21 school year, I served as a long term subsitute music teacher. I loved teaching k-5 general music and junior high and high school choirs. The privilege of being a judge for ILMEA Choral auditions and either a vocal judge or piano accompanist for IHSAA Vocal Solo/Ensemble Contest is also something I look forward to most years as well.

I also enjoy singing for special services and events such as weddings, recitals, funerals, worship services, and at assisted living homes. For most of my life I've served as a church musician, singing in choirs, on worship teams, and provided special music for all types of worship services.

For more than 20 years now, I've taught voice lessons in my home. Getting to watch students grow in their love of music, increase their skills and confidence, and express themselves better through performing is one of the biggest blessings in my life!

{ Piano }

I began taking piano lessons when I was 5 years old, learning from 4 teachers before I was age 9.  I began to play solos in church during my elementary and junior high school years. 

While in high school, I continued private lessons with my teacher, Pam Hoppe, participated in state solo contest with piano, accompanied my high school's women's show choir, and played and sang for several weddings.  

During college, I passed the required piano proficiency for all music majors in just one semester.  My senior year at Capital University Conservatory of Music, I elected to study piano privately with Dr. Rebecca Johnson. 

My love for playing piano continues to grow, and I enjoyed playing regularly at church for decades. For several years, it was a great honor for me to join my friend Lisa Davis in planning and performing a Christmas piano duet concert worship service called Carol of the Pianos.   

For 16+ years, it's been my pleasure to serve as volunteer accompanist for the high school, junior high, and 6th grade choirs, spring musical, and other musical events in the Ridgeview school district.

I also enjoy playing for special services and events such as weddings, recitals, funerals, worship services, and at assisted living homes. For most of my life I've served as a church musician, playing, on worship teams/praise bands, and providing special music of all types.

To me, piano is the foundation of my musical understanding. It was my first love in music. I sit down and play the piano when I am exhausted, distracted, need to sort out my emotions or understand something--and it helps recenter me. It has been one of the most useful tools in my life, helping me connect with others, share the language of music, express thoughts and emotions that don't always have words, find clarity of mind and healing of my heart in difficult and confusing times, as well as show love and joy. Sitting down at the piano and making even just a little bit of music is a great mood-lifter!

{ Personal }

I'm 48 years old, and happily married to my high school sweetheart, Jeremy. We met in our high school marching band, in which I played clarinet, tenor saxophone, and a little bit of mellophone and he played trumpet and baritone. I love that music was part of what brought us together!  It continues to be play a huge part in our home and daily family life as well. Jeremy works in the insurance industry and is also the head of Ridgeview's wrestling program. 

We have 3 children, Annah, Sylvia, and Caeden. Annah grew up playing violin, clarinet, and piano. She earned her bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from SIUe in 2023 and now works as an insurance underwriter. She continues using her music as a church soloist and vocal judge. Sylvia has grown up playing violin, cello, french horn, mellophone, and some piano. Both girls enjoyed being part of the I.S.U. String Project and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and Sylvia the Bloomington Normal Youth Symphony throughout high school. She continued to play cello on a scholarship in college at SIUe where she received a degree in Medical Biology with minors in Cello Performance, Chemistry, and Forensics. Caeden took Childbloom and Royal Conservatory classical guitar classes with Michael W. Hull for several years, plays a little bit of piano, and played percussion in school band. He greatly enjoys writing, recording, and producing his own music and the technology side of it. He graduated from The Recording Workshop in July of 2022 and has released some original music under his artist name DØØden which you can find streaming on all platforms. He added to his education at Full Sail University. All three of the kids love to sing, too, and participated in choirs and vocal jazz ensembles at school, as well as conference honor choirs and ILMEA district and state levels.

For a time, I did have ambitions of a professional singing career, but those were replaced once our little ones came along and I decided to "stay home" with them. This was my primary focus for about 18 years. I love being a wife, mother, and homemaker.  

I served as Fall Play Director at Ridgeview High School for 6 years, and as Theatre Club Sponsor for a few years as well. 

In fall of 2019, I began substitute teaching at Ridgeview and Gibson City schools--my favorite classrooms to sub in being the music classrooms, of course. For the 2020-'21 school year, I served as a long term subsitute teacher in kindergarten through 5th grade general music and junior high and high school choirs at Ridgeview. I also filled long-term sub positions in the district library, as a paraprofessional in 4th grade at GCMS, and in 2nd grade at RES.

In June of 2024, I began working full time as the District Administrative Assistant for the Ridgeview C.U.S.D. #19. 

I also own and operate Crafted with Care Crochet Boutique and sell my hand-crocheted items at craft fairs and markets, local boutiques. My other hobbies include photography, blogging, and web design. I'm currently the webmaster for the Village of Arrowsmith website. 

I'm blessed to have many outlets in music and the arts. I love to be at the piano singing, playing, and praising the Lord--whether in a performance setting, or just at home by myself. I find there is always is joy and comfort in music, no matter how many ears are listening or eyes are watching. 

I am so thankful to be teaching music! My students are incredibly important to me and I feel so fortunate and have them in my life and to get to make music with them each week!